Skye Holland Interview | Contemporary Art
Lock-down Inspirations & New Contemporary Art Directions
*NB. Images above from Skye’s new Fragile Earth Series II
ARTIENDA caught up with London artist Skye Holland to find out more about her new directions and the brand new work she is producing. Read on for the full interview…
How did you find the Coronavirus lock-down?
“At first, just like everyone else there was a sense of disbelief and for me personally, a mix of denial as well as excitement. That sounds terrible, because of course I knew that so many people were suffering or much worse. I knew that lock-down meant my own isolation as an artist was somehow intensified, that this was the new reality for lots of people around me. I saw it as a time to quietly focus, to keep working at my art-making and have time for all the personal development which would enable me to engage with more people online and effectively communicate what my work was about virtually.
I was invited to participate in an Instagram live with a popular singer/songwriter to co-host a drawing workshop, drawing a chihuahua from a photograph. The participants were located all over the world and this potential to reach so many people through technology struck me. Inspired, I decided to launch my online bite-size drawing classes taking people from 0 to amazing in 6 short weeks during one hour per week online. I’m now developing an e-learning course for people to follow this programme anywhere and develop their creative potential. It’s truly exciting. I hope to launch this course in early to mid-October. Stay tuned for details!”
“Alongside the teaching, I recently took commissions to draw A4 charcoal and mixed media portraits, giving 25% to a west London food bank, NWSufra. Size mattered here as I had to post the finished artwork through a letterbox in a hard-backed envelope so that people could receive the finished work without visiting a post office. I also participated in painter Tom Croft’s #portraitsfornhsheroes initiative which matched portrait artists to NHS Front-liners. In my case, a consultant oncologist at Harrogate hospital who was directing a Covid ward. Claire and her family were super happy with the final oil painting and I’ve been informed that it has been selected to be included in a published book about the project by Bloomsbury publishing due out before Christmas 2020.”
Painter Tom Croft’s #portraitsfornhsheroes online matched portrait artists to NHS Front-liners
More Leopards Are Coming | Artienda Commission
We are delighted to announce that a brand new ‘Blue Leopard’ oil painting by Skye similar to the series above will be made available soon as an exclusive original and limited edition prints for Artienda’s clients. Get in touch to find out more about exact release dates.
Have your inspirations been altered by the pandemic?
“My work has, over the years focused more and more on the survival of wild habitats. The effects of climate change, loss of habitats and human mass consumption have become so obvious to me and these concerns became the purpose behind my art-making. I regularly donate original work to fundraising events of conservation charities, the most recent being to free the wild, rescuing wild animals suffering in zoos in poor conditions. One of their founders is Cher. For a while, the pandemic meant no flying, no plane noise, less pollution from planes and cars. This with the onset of spring saw an incredible claw-back from nature and people were noticing it everywhere. So in a sense, my inspirations have not changed. I see the pandemic as yet another symptom of a world out of equilibrium. We have to make our peace with nature in a more sustainable world. A world without natural beauty would be impossible to endure. The celebration of natural beauty and the wild continues to inspire my work and if anything, that feeling has intensified.”
What's on the horizon with your new artwork?
“I am working on some new commissions for signature pieces for home interior spaces - stay tuned for that Blue Leopard people! - as well as planning more circular works in the Fragile Earth Series (see examples above). I have recently been informed that two of my works have got through the first round of an international art competition, the Visual Art Open 2020. Fingers crossed for getting through to the panel-judged list of finalists!”
Calling All Animal & Art Lovers, It’s Competition Time!
*Win a Skye Holland A2 giclee print*
The team at Artienda is ecstatic to offer the first three people that commission a beautiful Skye Holland animal portrait (examples pictured left) a gorgeous and free A2 print from the Artienda collection of Skye’s work. This offer starts on 1st November 2020. Artienda will also provide the 3 winners with a £25 framing credit to go towards framing either their portrait or their free print.
*NB. Skye Holland animal portraits ordered through Artienda are priced at £950.00 (including VAT)
Full Details On Skye Holland Portraits Here
Good luck!
Do online art sales carry more importance now?
“Definitely. I’ve shown at art fairs internationally and there is no clear indication of when it will be safe to do this again and whether visiting public will feel confident enough to attend these large gatherings. It has never been easier and yet more difficult! There are no bars to entry for people showing art online, it’s whether the work is any good or authentic in it’s making process that is hard to distinguish. It’s more about the artist’s integrity, quality of work, content, and ability to build relationships with real people virtually. The competition is intense. For me, it’s always about self-belief and being authentic. I’ve put in the hours and I continue to work my socks off! The rest is about relationship-building and whether people connect with your aesthetic and purpose.”
If you could have one of your paintings hung in any building in the world, what would it be?
“Ooooh! what a question! Well, I guess in my wildest dreams it would have to be MOMA in New York and if that was a no-no, then I’d like my work to hang in a contemporary public space belonging to or in honour of Sir David Attenborough.”
If you weren't painting in another life, what would you be doing instead?
“I’d be working in Africa as a vet to large animals.”
Art News | Contemporary Art | Art For Restaurants
Like all the other artists Artienda works with, Skye’s work has been selected specifically with interior schemes in mind both in residential settings and commercial projects for the hospitality industry. If you are working on a new restaurant, bar, or office, get in touch with us to find out how her artwork can lift your space to a new level. Find out more in our art for restaurants and bars page.